said, ‘In search of Layla-tul-Qadr, I spent the first ten days of Ramadan in I’tikaf, and then the middle ten days, then I was told that it is in the last ten days. Therefore, whoever amongst you wishes to observe I’tikaf with me should do so.’ (Sahih Muslim, pp. 594, Hadees 1167)

Dear Islamic brothers! If possible, observe I’tikaf for the entire month of Ramadan every year. If this is not possible, then observe I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan at least once in your life. Staying in the Masjid is a great blessing, a Mu’takif is so fortunate that he stays in the Masjid leaving all his activities in order to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Dear Islamic brothers! If not every year then at least once in your life try to observe I’tikaf for the whole month acting upon the Sunnah of Beloved Mustafa صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, observing I’tikaf has countless blessings, because if Muslims try, they can protect themselves from sins for as long as they are in I’tikaf. Furthermore, a special blessing of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is that the good deeds which a Muslim performs outside the Masjid when he is not in I’tikaf, will continue to be recorded in his book of deeds even though he is in I’tikaf and he will attain their rewards as well.

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said:

هُوَ يَعۡكِفُ الذُّنُوۡبَ وَ يُجۡرٰي لَهٗ مِنَ الۡحَسَنَاتِ كَعَامِلِ الۡحَسَنَاتِ كُلِّهَا

A Mu’takif remains safe from sins and the reward of good deeds will be given to him as it is given to the performers of good deeds.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, vol. 2, pp. 365, Hadees 1781)

Elaborating on the above-mentioned blessed Hadees, a renowned commentator, a great thinker of the Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said: The immediate advantage of I’tikaf is that it prevents the Mu’takif from sins because many sins like backbiting, lies, tale-bearing etc. are committed when amongst the people. A Mu’takif keeps himself distant from the world, and the person who comes to meet him (keeping in mind the respect of the Masjid and I’tikaf) does not speak bad things nor does he make others to do so.